Here’s why the Bears traded Robert Quinn

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles’s decision to trade Robert Quinn wasn’t easy. Quinn is one year removed from setting the Bears’ single-season sack record and was, by all accounts, one of the team’s leaders in the locker room.

Now, he’s a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

For a team in transition, moving a 32-year-old pass-rusher for a quality draft pick — a 2023 fourth-round pick — is smart. It will allow young players like Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson to get more playing time while adding another quality rookie to the roster next spring.

And Poles feels good about that.

“My job is to do what’s best for this organization not only now, but in the future,” Poles said Wednesday. “I really do trust in Gipson, he’s had a good start to the season, (Al-Quadin) Muhammad, he’s brought intensity and toughness to that group, and even young Robinson has flashed, he tipped that ball that Roquan got the other day and has a promising future and I think he’s going to continue to trend upwards.”

Trading Robert Quinn wasn’t easy for Ryan Poles

As much as the Quinn trade makes sense for Chicago, it still wasn’t easy. Poles acknowledged the ripple effect a transaction like this has on the people involved, which is often an overlooked aspect of professional sports.

“There’s the emotional side, the human part of it that you know you’re affecting not only a man but his family,” Poles said. “You’re kind of shaking that all up and I don’t take that lightly at all and I’m sensitive to that.”

After acquiring Philadelphia’s fourth-rounder, the Bears now have seven picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. They have their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, two 4ths, 5th, and 7th-round picks. The Bears will also have the most money to spend in free agency this offseason.

Poles hasn’t shied away from making bold moves early in his tenure as Chicago’s GM. He traded Khalil Mack last offseason, and after trading Quinn this week, he has changed the defense’s identity in less than one year.

It’s worth monitoring Roquan Smith’s roster status over the next few days. The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 1, leaving Poles with plenty of time to make another big move for 2023.